Cantelli Selected to Gridiron Classic

Senior Mike Cantelli has become the latest in a long line of Holmdel stars to become part of one of the Shore Conference’s oldest traditions.

Cantelli was the lone Hornets player selected to participate in this summer’s U.S. Army All-Shore Gridiron Classic, the state’s oldest high school football all-star game, now entering its 34th edition. The game pits senior all-stars from Monmouth County against their counterparts from Ocean County. This year’s game will be at 7 p.m. on July 14 at Toms River High School North.

Interestingly, the Monmouth County squad will be coached by the head man of one of Holmdel’s biggest rivals, Rumson-Fair Haven’s Shane Fallon. The Bulldogs beat Holmdel 35-7 on their way to a 9-3 season in which they won their first NJSIAA sectional title in program history.

“It’s a real honor for coach Fallon to want me to play and to be the only kid from Holmdel,’’ Cantelli said. “It kind of says a lot.’’

Cantelli was a standout quarterback for the Hornets who was selected to the All-Class A Central division team by the coaches this past fall. A versatile player as a runner and a passer, Cantelli made the adjustment to a newly-installed spread offense as a senior during a 4-6 season in which the Hornets scored wins over a pair of state playoff teams, Barnegat and Point Boro.

In the all-star game, there’s a good chance Cantelli could see action at multiple positions including quarterback. There is a chance he could also play wide receiver and defensive back and possible punt. He also will be coached one last time by Holmdel’s Frank Papalia, who will serve as an assistant under Fallon on Monmouth County’s staff.

“Coach Fallon told me to just put down ‘athlete’ for my position,’’ he said.

“(Cantelli) is one of the most fun kids I’ve ever coached,’’ Papalia said. “He is a great kid with a great personality, and he might do everything but rugby punt in this game.’’

The game will also mark Cantelli’s final time on the gridiron, as he is a lacrosse star who will be continuing his career at Cortland State.

“Going to college next year, it’s going to be lacrosse year round,’’ he said. “During the fall, I’m not going to be playing football, I’m going to be watching it, so it’s definitely going to be different.’’

He also will be teammates on the Monmouth County squad with a lacrosse rival, Rumson senior linebacker Mike Huttner, who is a standout midfielder for the Bulldogs. Rumson recently beat Holmdel 14-7 in the semifinals of the Shore Conference Boys Lacrosse Tournament.

“(Huttner) and I are good friends,’’ Cantelli said. “We played lacrosse together back in middle school, so it’s kind of weird to be on the same team again.’’

Cantelli becomes the latest in a long line of Holmdel stars that will play in what began as the All-Shore Classic in 1978 and has since become the U.S. Army All-Shore Gridiron Classic. The game is run by the Shore Football Coaches Foundation, which is in charge of selecting the players for the game.

“I can remember my freshman year when coach Papalia and (former Holmdel head) coach (Andy) Carlstrom were in charge of everything (in the Gridiron Classic),’’ Cantelli said. “I remember guys like Glenn Grainger and Ryan Haslett playing in the game. I still talk to those guys now, and they still talk about the game. It’s definitely an honor to be the next Holmdel player in this game.’’

It also will be fun for Papalia, who is good friends with Fallon despite the rivalry between the two programs.

“(Fallon) is like a mentor to me,’’ Papalia said. “He and I have become really good friends. We’re going to have a blast for a week.’’